The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-01
A BOHEMIAN PARADISE.
HOW PAFF0S PLACE AT NEW YORK
BECAME FAMOUS.


Who Frequentsd the Place.
NEW York, April 30--One of the mos
notable landmarks in New York city is NJ
more. 1t is Pfaff's place. II the reader
doesn't know Pfaff it Is evidence that b,
hasn't been Bohemian or friend of Bohe
mians. More than thirty-two years age
Pfaff was a waiter, in Basic, Switzerland
Next to France, Switzerland is noted for it
walters. He came TO America and thought
he had realized the ambition of his life
when he opened restaurant of his OWL
under the old Stevens House But fortune
didn't smile ON him there, and he removed
to place on Broadway above Amity street.
One night an ordinary looking man called
in at Pfaff's place after very arduous late
dinner and called for coffee. He had been
drinking eognac, and to one who has cruel
fled his appetite with cognac the best coffee
tastes insipid. The guest cursed the coffee
and declared that he would never again visit
Pfaff's, but he did, and the next day, when
he quaffed the Teutons coffee, it addressed
itself so strongly to his paled palate that he
was delighted. The individual was Ftz
James O'Brien, entitled King of the Bohe-
miarsn
mians were great factor in the Journal
istic and literary world of New York. Mr..
O'Brien went to the Office and wrote a very
interesting article about Pfaffs coffee and
Pfaff's place Other BoheIhians, and people
who We're not Bohemians, read the article
and dropped into Pfaff's place to sample his
coffee The honest German suddenly found
himself famous. 1t became the fashion to
puff him and his coffee and veal outlets and
other culinary triumphs He was wise
enough to appreciate his guests and adver-
tisers. He set apart table for the Liter
airy fellers.n 1t was known as the Round
Table Among the merry men who sat at
this circular board were FitZ James O'Brien,
Henry Clapp, the prince of the wits of that
time, Ned Wilkins, Ned House. George Ar
mold, Frank Wood, Charles Dawson, Shan
ley Cahill, Frank Bellew and others Many
night they kept poor Pfaff up until the
morning sun was peeping in at his win
dows. He moved from CAT to 653 Broad
way, but the crowd followed him. French
refugees and artists reinforced the literary
lights who frequented his famous place.
One night the party would be flush, and
again it would be without a cent, but Pfaff
turned no man away hungry. Bierstadt,
the artist, Martin, Homer and Hall were
among his guests. The genial host and his
soul-soOthing coffee were always welcome.
He never forgot that he owed his success to
the advertising newspaper men had given
him. They were an unceremOnious coterie
of individuals to whom time and money
were of no consequence. Time, with its re
lentless changes and cruel DEATH crept
among them. He claimed the brightest of
the company. The Bohemians made faint
effort TO maintain the old institutions which
they had enjoyed in the careless days of the
past At one of their dinners an impromptu
poet of their number composed this rhyme:
Here's to Meinheer Pfaff!
Core, boys let's quafT;
book that's ripe and mellow;
Wen sing tonight
IL Tapt delight,
bach gay and happy fellow.
The generous year is growing old,
And here within this cheerful fold
Well give warm hbation.
S Fill up the goblet once again,
And sing q love song or refrain
To maids in every station.
Why gTumble at otn' earthly LOTT
while here we know no better spot
in which to strive with fate.
Bright hopes like bubbles fade away,
And human purposes decay.
While death stands at the gate.
Death stood at the gate for many gay
fellows who joined in that chorus. The
days of the Bohemian were numbered
Ffaif removed to No. 9 Twenty-fourth street,
Opposite the ruth Avenue Hotel, but the
DID coterie of wits and writers who had
5na6e him famous were no more.
On Monday Pfaffs place went under the
hammer. | visited the veteran restau-
Ianteur, who came in, threw down his hat
with an air of despair, greeted me with
1tfyor, and began to talk about the gay
1ys of the past. Tears stood in his eyes as
Ee called up the memory of the wits and
writer's who used to thrust their feet under
his generous table.
Pfaff is a stOcky man with a full gray
beard, trimmed in the Prince of Wales
style, and a kindly, intelligent face. He
never has Qnite got used to the English
language. He said that he was suddenly
approached few days ago by Mrs. Ben
son, who owns the place that he rents. She
demanded an advance of $500 per year on
his rent making it 81 100. He was unable
TO meet the additional expense, and hence
his place will be sold at auction. He says
that Ed Stokes is anxious to secure it as am
annex to the Hoffman House, Pfaff win
endeavor 10 secure cheaper quarters further
up town and open new resort, but he can
never expect TO call about him that same
happy go-lucky crowd who used to congre-
gate at his board. AMOS j. CUMMINGS.